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| Photo by Mindy Simmons |
By Codie Walsh
Usually teams are eased into the season allowing them to find their
rhythm before facing a rival. For the 2011 AVC Marauders this was not the case
as they began their regular season facing their arch rival COC Cougars.
Saturday was the thirteenth meeting between College of the Canyons and
Antelope Valley College. The all-time record between the two teams was 9 COC, 4
AVC. Their last meeting resulted in an AVC loss, 35-7.
AVC began the game forcing the Cougars to punt but immediately fumbled
the ball away on the return which set a tone for the rest of the game. Cameron
Coon completed 24 of 38 passes for a total of 272 yards completing two touchdowns
while throwing three interceptions. He was also sacked four times. His best
receiver was Brandon Buteyn who had nine receptions for a total of 101 yards
and 1 touchdown catch but did drop a pass that caused one of Coon’s three
picks. Buteyn also caught a lateral pass qualifying as a rush for a gain of 37
yards. The second most productive wide receiver was Jeremy Evans who had a
total of 7 catches for 95 yards. AVC’s featured running back Osuchukwu rushed 6
times for a total of 16 yards.
AVC’s defense kept them in the game in the first half and the second
half began with the Marauders trailing 17-7 despite four first half turnovers. Ermilo
Arias was the standout defensive player for AVC amounting 13 solo tackles, 7
more than the next best AVC tacklers Lonnie Parish and TJ Kelly. AVC’s biggest
defensive play came in the second quarter from Al Staten who intercepted a pass
and ran it back 39 yards.
AVC’s defense would eventually falter allowing the Cougars to score 27
points in the second half where the Cougars converted two more Marauder
turnovers into touchdowns. COC’s offense dominated the ball throughout amassing
a total time of possession of 38 minutes to the Marauders 22.
This Saturday the Marauders play Santa Barbara City College in Santa
Barbara where they hope to bounce back. The key according to Kenny Harmon will
be to “execute the game plan” and “go harder in practice.” Hope to see you
there!
